The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is the newest iteration of the excellent, closed-back Maxwell lineup. Returning are the features and design elements that make the Maxwell 2 an incredible headset, along with a couple of notable updates. Primary among those is the new Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which promises to deliver the best ANC in gaming. Is this enough to justify a price difference of $100? Let’s dive in and take a look.
It’s undeniable that the Maxwell 2 and Maxwell 2 ANC look almost identical in every way. From the adjustable leather headband to the iconic earcups, you would be excused for mixing up these headphones. The only visual identifier of this latest iteration is the name branding that runs up the right side of the headband.
This has its pros and a single con. The design and construction are absolutely premium, sturdy, and sharp-looking. Having actively used the Maxwell 2s since January and the original Maxwells since September 2024, I can attest to their longevity and durability. I’ve not tested a tougher pair of gaming headphones.
“The Maxwell 2 ANC also excel with immersive audio, providing impressive and accurate directional cues.”
They are also quite comfortable to wear, even for longer play sessions. The magnetically attached, ergonomic ear cups provide exceptional comfort, enclosing the ear perfectly. The leather headband, likewise, is one of the most comfortable I’ve tested and is back with this iteration of the Maxwell 2s.
The only con to the design is that these headphones are on the heavier side. Weighing 560g, it’s a bit of an adjustment if you are used to wearing mainline gaming headsets such as the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 (303g) or even the heavier ROG Kithara Gaming headset(420g). That being said, having now used the Maxwell series for almost two years, I find them to be quite comfortable for longer play sessions.
The Maxwell 2 ANC features the same powerful 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers as its predecessor. With an impressive frequency response of 10Hz to 50KHz, and a max SPL of >115dB, these headphones easily slot into the premium listening territory. While the details of the drivers and testing can be found in the original Maxwell 2 review, there are a couple of additional notes to make.
In regard to the audio profile, highs and mids sound sharp and clear without being too bright, and the low end is punchy and powerful without being overwhelming. The Maxwell 2 ANC also excel with immersive audio, providing impressive and accurate directional cues.
The Active Noise Cancellation system is one of the best I’ve had the privilege to test. While I have historically been a fan of the Sony WH-1000XM5’s incredible noise cancellation, the Maxwell 2 ANC can easily give them a run for their money. As far as gaming headsets are concerned, there is nothing comparable; concerning active noise cancellation, the Maxwell 2 ANC are top of the class.
This is accomplished through two main design features, the first of which was already present in the original Maxwell 2. These headphones are specifically designed to have built-in passive noise cancellation via the dual chamber earcup design that creates what is essentially an acoustic dampening chamber. It worked great in the Maxwell 2 and helps set the stage for Audeze’s ANC system.
“The Maxwell 2 ANC performs exceptionally well and is one of the best gaming headsets available.”
The active noise cancellation portion of the design effectively removes an impressive 35dB of background noise on paper. Practically, I can say that while sitting in my office with three computers running, a ceiling fan on at full speed and the window to the street open, I’ve not noticed any noise bleeding through the mix. Even with no active audio playing through the headset, everything is exceptionally quiet. It’s a seriously impressive feat.
The microphone, likewise, is impressive, providing consistently clean and clear audio. The inclusion of a new AI filtering system helps remove background noise while speaking as well, ensuring that comm channels are always clear and precise. The whole system functions incredibly well.
The final note is battery life. The Maxwell 2 ANC see a bit of a dip in performance when the ANC system is engaged, averaging about 35 hours of use over bluetooth. When compared to the Maxwell 2’s 80 hours of battery life, it was a bit disappointing to see such a drop, but considering the power requirements of ANC, it does make sense. Regardless, 35 hours of gameplay is still a solid offering.
So is the new Maxwell 2 ANC worth the $100 price difference? If you already own a pair of Maxwells, either the originals or 2, I’d say it’s not necessary unless you desperately need the ANC feature. The actual audio quality of all three of these headsets is some of the best I’ve tested in gaming headphones. $100 for ANC is a bit of a hard sell for those who have already invested in this exceptional brand.
If you are looking to level up your immersive audio gaming experience, are not already a Maxwell user and need ANC, it could be worth shelling out the extra $100 dollars. The Maxwell 2 ANC performs exceptionally well and is one of the best gaming headsets available. Ultimately, it’s a question of budget, not quality.
